AI for Maternal Health: New App Features Help Predict Preeclampsia Risk for 11 Million Women Globally
What You Should Know: – Emagine Solutions Technology, an award-winning healthcare technology company, today announced the addition of AI-supported wellness features to its robust application, The Journey Pregnancy. – The new data-driven wellness features help patients understand their risk or propensity for preeclampsia, encouraging users to check in with their clinician if they have concerns ... Read More
<img width="1500" height="1000" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/emagine-preeclam-1500x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92247" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/emagine-preeclam-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/emagine-preeclam-300x200.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/emagine-preeclam-290x193.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/emagine-preeclam-768x512.jpg 768w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/emagine-preeclam-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/emagine-preeclam-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /> What You Should Know: – Emagine Solutions Technology, an award-winning healthcare technology company, today announced the addition of AI-supported wellness features to its robust application, The Journey Pregnancy. – The new data-driven wellness features help patients understand their risk or propensity for preeclampsia, encouraging users to check in with their clinician if they have concerns about their health or notice changes. Addressing the Preeclampsia Crisis and Cost Preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder, is a deadly condition of pregnancy, affecting over 11 million women globally each year and 1 in 7 hospital births in the U.S.. The condition is a significant burden for healthcare systems, costing the U.S. healthcare system over $2 billion annually. The challenge lies in monitoring blood pressure between routine prenatal visits, especially during the postpartum period when monitoring is less frequent. This issue is particularly pronounced for rural women who face long travel distances or live in maternity care deserts with no access to care at all. “There is an urgent need for scalable, community-driven, and technology-enabled solutions that can facilitate real-time patient self-monitoring blood pressure tracking and timely intervention,” said Courtney Williams, Co-founder and CEO of Emagine Solutions Technology. AI and Real-Time Self-Monitoring The Journey Pregnancy app leverages technology to fill this critical monitoring gap. To utilize the preeclampsia wellness features, patients can consistently log their pregnancy symptoms and blood pressure using the app’s revolutionary in-app vitals scanning technology. The core functionality includes: Preeclampsia Assessment: The app provides a data-driven preeclampsia assessment, alerting at-risk women to consult a medical professional. Aria, the Virtual Doula: Users receive 24/7 pregnancy support via Aria, the app’s personal virtual doula. Aria taps into research-backed resources for information on preeclampsia, wellness, nutrition, and other pregnancy and postpartum topics. Medication Logging: The app includes a medication-logging feature, allowing those at risk for preeclampsia (and their doctors) to easily keep track of their medications. Availability The Journey Pregnancy App is available for free on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Mayo Clinic Launches Platform_Insights to Bridge the Digital Divide in Healthcare AI Adoption
What You Should Know: – Mayo Clinic today announced the launch of Mayo Clinic Platform_Insights, a new offering designed to give healthcare organizations of all sizes across the globe access to Mayo Clinic’s digital expertise, data-driven insights, and clinical knowledge. – The initiative provides a guided, affordable path to reduce the digital divide fueled by ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="617" height="613" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mayo-Clinic-Platform_Insights.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92223" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mayo-Clinic-Platform_Insights.jpg 617w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mayo-Clinic-Platform_Insights-300x298.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mayo-Clinic-Platform_Insights-290x288.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mayo-Clinic-Platform_Insights-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" /> What You Should Know: – Mayo Clinic today announced the launch of Mayo Clinic Platform_Insights, a new offering designed to give healthcare organizations of all sizes across the globe access to Mayo Clinic’s digital expertise, data-driven insights, and clinical knowledge. – The initiative provides a guided, affordable path to reduce the digital divide fueled by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). Extending Clinical Expertise and Reducing the Digital Divide Mayo Clinic Platform_Insights is directly addressing the risk many healthcare providers face of falling behind in keeping pace with AI advances. The program is specifically designed to help organizations navigate the complex AI landscape in healthcare and implement solutions that solve their biggest challenges. At its core, the offering delivers data-driven insights, enabled by AI, shared alongside Mayo Clinic’s best practices, guidance, and support. “When we share knowledge, we make better decisions — both in diagnosis and treatment,” says Maneesh Goyal, chief operating officer, Mayo Clinic Platform. “This new program allows us to extend the reach and expertise of leading healthcare organizations within our digital ecosystem to help others perform better and improve patient outcomes everywhere.”. Grounding Innovation in Massive, Trusted Data The solutions available through Mayo Clinic Platform are trained and validated on the data network accessible via Mayo Clinic Platform_Connect. This growing global health data network fuels limitless innovation and next-generation care. The network currently encompasses 26 petabytes of clinical information, including more than 3 billion laboratory tests, 1.6 billion clinical notes, and more than 6 billion medical images from hundreds of complex diseases. Maneesh Goyal emphasized the practical advantage for partners: “When organizations partner with us, they gain access to proven clinical and administrative solutions and the technical framework to integrate them seamlessly.”.
The Double-Edged Sword: Why AI is Healthcare’s Biggest Cybersecurity Threat Yet
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ultimate double-edged sword in healthcare. On one side, AI is already driving real improvements, from accelerating diagnostic imaging to streamlining operational workflows such as delivering faster, more accurate, and more efficient patient care. And we are still only at the beginning; AI’s potential to reshape healthcare is undeniable. But that ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ed-headshot-1.png" alt="The Double-Edged Sword: Why AI is Healthcare’s Biggest Cybersecurity Threat Yet" class="wp-image-92220" width="440" height="440" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ed-headshot-1.png 1000w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ed-headshot-1-300x300.png 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ed-headshot-1-290x290.png 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ed-headshot-1-768x768.png 768w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ed-headshot-1-100x100.png 100w" sizes="(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px" /> Ed Gaudet, CEO and Founder of Censinet Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ultimate double-edged sword in healthcare. On one side, AI is already driving real improvements, from accelerating diagnostic imaging to streamlining operational workflows such as delivering faster, more accurate, and more efficient patient care. And we are still only at the beginning; AI’s potential to reshape healthcare is undeniable. But that optimism is tempered by the reality that AI also introduces one of the most significant cybersecurity risks the healthcare industry has ever faced. Patient data has long been a top target for cybercriminals, and since AI relies on massive datasets to function and improve, the threat landscape has only expanded with the rapid adoption of AI across the industry. The same personal data that powers AI and machine learning models also creates new risks, as AI systems are susceptible to sophisticated cyberattacks such as “adversarial attacks,” where small manipulations in data inputs can trigger harmful or misleading outputs. With AI now embedded across a broad range of clinical and operational tools, the attack surface has grown substantially, introducing risks and vulnerabilities that, if exploited, have the potential to disrupt the entire health sector and threaten patient safety. Trust in AI Depends on Trust in Security In healthcare, trust is non-negotiable. The patient-provider relationship is grounded in the expectation that clinicians will deliver accurate diagnoses, safeguard personal health information, and provide safe, effective care. Today, AI touches nearly every aspect of that encounter, from diagnostics to administrative workflows. If any part of this ecosystem is compromised, whether through data poisoning, model theft, corruption, or manipulation, trust in AI will quickly erode, stalling adoption and potentially sidelining critical technologies altogether. The fragility of AI’s role in patient and clinician trust is underscored by a recent study from Alber et al., which found that altering just 0.001% of AI training tokens with medical misinformation increased the likelihood of medical errors. The study highlights a troubling reality: AI models are highly vulnerable to attacks and may generate harmful recommendations that even experienced clinicians may be unable to detect. These findings make one thing clear: without robust cybersecurity embedded at the foundation of healthcare AI systems, the promise of AI risks being undermined at its core. Building Secure AI Must Be a Strategic Priority To address the risks AI introduces, healthcare organizations must fundamentally rethink how they deploy and manage AI. Cybersecurity and AI cannot operate in silos, security must be woven directly into every stage of AI development, governance, and implementation. Three priorities stand out for healthcare leaders: Demand Secure-by-Design AI Healthcare organizations should require vendors to provide clear evidence that AI technologies are developed with built-in security controls, covering everything from data validation to continuous monitoring. AI model training, validation, and update processes must be transparent and standardized to ensure security is maintained over time. Integrate Risk Management at Every Stage Risk management must be a continuous process across the AI lifecycle, from procurement to deployment and ongoing use. This includes routine risk assessments, real-time risk monitoring, and testing, such as AI-specific penetration testing, to identify and mitigate potential risks before they impact clinical care or operational performance. Collaborate to Establish Sector-Wide Standards No single organization can tackle these challenges alone. Industry collaboration is essential to build consistent standards for secure AI development and deployment, and to shape regulatory frameworks that keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution. Empowering Clinicians with AI Education To fully harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks, healthcare organizations must prioritize educating clinicians about AI’s capabilities and vulnerabilities. Clinicians are on the front lines of patient care, and their ability to interact with AI tools effectively is critical to maintaining trust and safety. Without proper training, clinicians may struggle to identify AI-generated errors or biases, which could compromise patient outcomes. Education programs should focus on three key areas: understanding how AI tools function in clinical settings, recognizing signs of potential data manipulation or model drift, and fostering critical thinking to question AI outputs when they deviate from clinical judgment. For example, workshops could simulate adversarial attack scenarios, teaching clinicians how subtle changes in data inputs might lead to incorrect diagnoses. Additionally, ongoing training should keep clinicians updated on evolving AI technologies and emerging cyber threats. By equipping clinicians with this knowledge, healthcare organizations can create a human firewall – an essential layer of defense that complements technical safeguards. Empowered clinicians can serve as vigilant partners in AI’s integration, ensuring that these tools enhance, rather than undermine, patient care. The Stakes Are High, and Getting Higher AI is driving rapid transformation across healthcare, with potential benefits that are far-reaching and profound. But without a solid cybersecurity foundation, we risk not only exposing sensitive data but undermining the very trust and safety that healthcare depends on. AI may be healthcare’s most powerful double-edged sword, but with robust security embedded at its core, we can unlock its full potential without ever putting patient safety at risk. About Ed Gaudet Ed Gaudet is the CEO and Founder of Censinet, with over 25 years of leadership in software innovation, marketing, and sales across startups and public companies. Formerly CMO and GM at Imprivata, he led its expansion into healthcare and launched the award-winning Cortext platform. Ed holds multiple patents in authentication, rights management, and security, and serves on the HHS 405(d) Cybersecurity Working Group and several Health Sector Coordinating Council task forces.
Popai Health Secures $11M to Transform Patient Conversations with Voice AI
What You Should Know: – Popai Health, the Patient Conversation Intelligence company, today announced it has raised $11M in seed funding led by Team8 and NEA, alongside additional strategic investors, – The capital intended to strengthen Popai’s go-to-market efforts and accelerate adoption across health systems, medical groups, health plans, and ACOs. Eliminating Healthcare’s Biggest Blind ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="1363" height="623" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Popai.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92236" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Popai.jpg 1363w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Popai-300x137.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Popai-290x133.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Popai-768x351.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1363px) 100vw, 1363px" /> What You Should Know: – Popai Health, the Patient Conversation Intelligence company, today announced it has raised $11M in seed funding led by Team8 and NEA, alongside additional strategic investors, – The capital intended to strengthen Popai’s go-to-market efforts and accelerate adoption across health systems, medical groups, health plans, and ACOs. Eliminating Healthcare’s Biggest Blind Spot Popai is revolutionizing care coordination by leveraging Voice AI to eliminate what the company calls healthcare’s largest patient engagement blind spot: the 65% of patient interactions that happen during phone calls. Traditional care coordination systems capture only a fraction of the information exchanged during these 15 million daily patient calls, resulting in limited visibility into key clinical, operational, and social insights. The core of Popai’s platform is to convert these high-volume patient interactions into a valuable strategic asset. The platform automatically generates compliant documentation aligned with organizational guidelines, enhancing both quality and efficiency, with proven performance gains of 20% or more. Converting Insights into Immediate Action Popai’s Patient Conversation Intelligence platform, already in use by organizations including Essen Health Care and Clover Health, captures and analyzes patient phone conversations using healthcare-specific AI trained on medical terminology and clinical context. Beyond documentation, the platform converts insights into immediate action through real-time workflow triggers that: Escalate critical issues to physicians. Schedule appointments. Close care gaps. Address medication adherence problems. At the population level, the platform surfaces risk patterns across thousands of calls, enabling healthcare organizations to shift from reactive to proactive care management. “One of the most sophisticated patient insight tools in healthcare has always been a conversation with a patient. We’re finally giving healthcare organizations the ability to capture and act on those conversations at scale with a powerful tool for proactive care. We’re not building another data platform but an action platform, and we’re incredibly excited about our partnership with Team8 and NEA,” said Eyal Gurion, Popai’s CEO and co-founder.
Reimbursement Shift under 2026 PFS Poised to Usher in New Era for RPM
Lucienne Ide, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Rimidi
The annual release of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) generated more attention than usual this year among practices that have considered or are already offering Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) to their patients. CMS’s July 14 publication of the proposed rule, outlining revisions to payment policies and rates, was seen as particularly significant for RPM. ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="800" height="800" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lucie-Ide.jpeg" alt="Reimbursement Shift under 2026 PFS Poised to Usher in New Era for RPM" class="wp-image-92217" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lucie-Ide.jpeg 800w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lucie-Ide-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lucie-Ide-290x290.jpeg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lucie-Ide-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lucie-Ide-100x100.jpeg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Lucienne Ide, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Rimidi The annual release of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) generated more attention than usual this year among practices that have considered or are already offering Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) to their patients. CMS’s July 14 publication of the proposed rule, outlining revisions to payment policies and rates, was seen as particularly significant for RPM. Key changes to RPM under the 2026 PFS include the introduction of a code for 2-15 days of data collection and another that allows billing for 10-19 minutes of monitoring, lowering the threshold from the current 20-minute requirement. These additions would expand program access to a larger population of patients with a wider range of conditions. One of the existing guidelines, known as the 16-day rule, has frustrated the healthcare industry for years by limiting provider reimbursement to cases where patient data is recorded and transmitted for at least 16 out of 30 days. The updates that could change this, shaped largely by the American Medical Association’s CPT Editorial Panel, will likely usher in some exciting opportunities to enhance care, as well as new coding, billing, and reimbursement factors to be aware of. Greater Flexibility Supports Better Care Delivery and Innovation Allowing billing for shorter or intermittent monitoring — such as a few weeks of post-operative vital sign tracking or periodic hypertension checks as part of a broader care plan — demonstrates that clinical value isn’t determined solely by the frequency or time duration of monitoring. The impact of expanded billing options goes far beyond correcting reimbursement inequities. The move will enhance the delivery of high-quality care and encourage innovation, ensuring the benefits of the policy shift are felt throughout the healthcare ecosystem. A greater number of patients will benefit from remote monitoring programs and will receive well-tailored, effective care to help with efforts like medication adherence and lifestyle adjustments. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works in healthcare, and RPM is no exception. Customizing interventions based on specific needs, conditions, and patient-engagement levels will boost individual care outcomes and improve the industry as a whole. In addition, leveraging data collected for predictive analytics could facilitate advancements in preventive care and chronic disease management and a better understanding of specific patient populations or clinical conditions that benefit from this intervention delivered under different protocols and program designs. Including remote monitoring in specific patient interventions, such as lifestyle or medication adjustments, can create a positive feedback loop and insights for the patient and provider to make those interventions more impactful. For instance, a new generative AI model that predicts how a person’s glucose levels will respond to dietary changes is increasing nutrition plan precision and enabling clinicians to make therapeutic adjustments sooner. The project supports customized care and could significantly lower healthcare spending, easing the global economic burden of diabetes, which is expected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2030. This technology, designed to proactively save lives and cut care costs, was trained on just 14 days of glucose data from more than 10,000 study participants wearing continuous monitoring devices. Clearly, two weeks of monitoring data can make a tremendous impact, underscoring the value of shorter-duration RPM programs. New Requirements Will Impact Documentation, Compliance, and Audits Along with promoting flexibility, new RPM billing codes will introduce higher accuracy standards in compliance and reporting. Adapting internal workflows accordingly will help providers steer clear of common pitfalls and optimize reimbursement processes. To align with best practices, healthcare organizations should focus their efforts on: Clear documentation: Every RPM component — including monitoring days, device usage, and patient interactions — must be accurately recorded. Logging 2- to 15-day monitoring cycles, whether continuous or intermittent over a 30-day span, will require the same thoroughness as traditional 16-day periods and 20-minute requirements Education and training: Staff must be well-versed in CPT coding nuances, including the differences between billing for 2-15 days vs. 16 or more, and for 10-19 minutes of monitoring vs. 20 minutes or more. Incorrect codes or accidentally using outdated methods could lead to audits or missed reimbursements. Audit proofing: CMS has stressed the need for strong compliance safeguards, such as maintaining records that prove medical necessity, data transmission, and clinical rationale for care plans. Increased scrutiny and a continued emphasis on transparency in the months following a PFS rule change is expected and typically occur when codes are updated to expand reimbursement. For example, CMS’ recent Risk Adjustment Data Validation updates, intended to strengthen oversight of Medicare Advantage payments, prompted a rise in audits from 35 records per plan annually to as many as 200 per year, illustrating how CMS typically responds to program changes with stricter vigilance. Update Creates a Pivotal Moment for Sustainable RPM Growth The 2026 Medicare PFS marks a turning point for RPM usage. CMS’s move to make reimbursement more inclusive and clinically relevant will enable providers to build strong, efficient remote care programs that greatly improve patient access and results. These achievements are not a given, though. Organizations must invest in their RPM models by devoting time and resources to the development of adaptable processes that prioritize compliance and resilience. With the right technology and expertise, providers can simplify RPM while maximizing patient and financial outcomes. These changes present a real chance to bridge longstanding treatment-plan gaps and reimagine the delivery of care. Approaching it as a moment for innovation, rather than a policy shift, will help to unlock RPM’s full potential to deliver value and create sustainable growth. About Lucienne Marie Ide, M.D., PH.D. Lucienne Marie Ide, M.D., PH.D., is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rimidi, a digital health company that supports healthcare providers in the delivery of remote patient monitoring and chronic disease management with EHR-integrated software, services, and connected devices. She brings her diverse experiences in medicine, science, venture capital, and technology to bear in leading Rimidi’s strategy and vision. Motivated by the belief that we can do so much better as individuals, in industry, and in society. After completing her internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UPMC, Dr. Ide left clinical medicine to join the ranks of healthcare entrepreneurs who are trying to revolutionize an industry.
The End of Incrementalism: Why 91% of Health Executives Demand Fundamental Change with AI
What You Should Know: – Digital transformation strategy has accelerated as a core priority for the healthcare industry, driven by the necessity of operational resilience, personalization, and advanced AI. – According to the fifth annual Health System Digital Transformation Survey by Chartis, 91% of health system executives agree that their organizations must undergo “fundamental change” ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="1344" height="739" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image.png" alt="The End of Incrementalism: Why 91% of Health Executives Demand Fundamental Change with AI" class="wp-image-92226" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image.png 1344w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-300x165.png 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-290x159.png 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-768x422.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1344px) 100vw, 1344px" /> Health System Digital Transformation Survey by Chartis, What You Should Know: – Digital transformation strategy has accelerated as a core priority for the healthcare industry, driven by the necessity of operational resilience, personalization, and advanced AI. – According to the fifth annual Health System Digital Transformation Survey by Chartis, 91% of health system executives agree that their organizations must undergo “fundamental change” to overcome persistent challenges and thrive in the next five years. The Limit of Incremental Change is Reached Health systems have long relied on incremental improvements to address chronic problems, but executives now acknowledge this approach has reached its limit. The challenges—which include 61% indicating care is not affordable and ~50% reporting patients lack timely access—will only worsen without significant structural transformation. Executives are pursuing proactive models to deliver care that is more accessible, lowers cost, and provides intelligent, patient-centric services. This paradigm shift is entirely dependent on leveraging new, advanced digital and AI tools. As report co-author Tom Kiesau, Chartis’ Chief AI & Digital Officer, notes, “We may finally be at a tipping point if 90% of healthcare executives agree on the need for fundamental change. Organizations need to capitalize on the momentum in this moment—and ensure that they are truly realizing the potential presented by AI and digital capabilities to drive needed business transformation at scale.”. The Four Pillars of Proactive Transformation Executives seem cautiously optimistic that they can systematically transform the reactive care delivery model using AI and digital enablement. They aim to achieve this shift through four priority domains over the next five years: Transforming Access: (89% prioritize digital/AI) Enabling timely, convenient, and affordable care. Personalizing the Patient Journey: (86% prioritize digital/AI) Engaging and guiding patients through clear care plans. Fitting Resources to Demand: (77% prioritize digital/AI) Accurately projecting demand and efficiently meeting those needs, particularly via Hospital at Home models. Serving More Patients: (75% prioritize digital/AI) Growing capacity through digitally enabled and automated care models that do not require additional clinical headcount or facility square footage. Executives believe that by investing in advanced digital and AI tools, they can create a dynamic operating model that is faster, less capital-intensive, and capable of proactively addressing care issues upstream. Digital Maturity Defines Competitive Advantage The survey reveals that the key attributes defining leading health systems are shifting away from traditional metrics: Size is Deprioritized: Most executives agree that a health system’s size will be less of a differentiator in the future. Size alone will not insulate organizations from multiplying industry challenges. Digital Differentiators Win: The two greatest differentiators of leading health systems in five years will be a digital-first consumer experience and digitally enabled care. This levels the playing field, offering smaller health systems an opportunity to differentiate through strategy. Imperatives for Strategic Execution The path forward requires business transformation, not just process digitization. Chartis advises leaders to: Prioritize Proactive Investments: Align digital investments with redesign opportunities in the four major domains, focusing on transformation, not just efficiency gains in specific processes. Avoid Pilot Purgatory: Executives must establish discipline and clear commitment to move beyond the piloting phase. Success requires setting specific metrics for value creation, designing for scaled deployments, and integrating the technology into existing strategic initiatives. Build in Adaptability: Health systems must become dynamic learning organizations, applying lessons from both successful and failed implementations into future iterations.
6 Strategies for Healthcare Executives to Elevate Cyber Resilience
What You Should Know: – Healthcare organizations are facing an unprecedented cyber threat landscape, making the need to elevate cyber resilience to a strategic business priority more urgent than ever. – According to the “US Healthcare Cyber Resilience Survey” released by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) and KLAS Research, the risks posed by sophisticated ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1026" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6-Strategies-for-Healthcare-Executives-to-Elevate-Cyber-Resilience-1500x1026.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92229" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6-Strategies-for-Healthcare-Executives-to-Elevate-Cyber-Resilience-1500x1026.jpg 1500w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6-Strategies-for-Healthcare-Executives-to-Elevate-Cyber-Resilience-300x205.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6-Strategies-for-Healthcare-Executives-to-Elevate-Cyber-Resilience-290x198.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6-Strategies-for-Healthcare-Executives-to-Elevate-Cyber-Resilience-768x525.jpg 768w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6-Strategies-for-Healthcare-Executives-to-Elevate-Cyber-Resilience-1536x1051.jpg 1536w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6-Strategies-for-Healthcare-Executives-to-Elevate-Cyber-Resilience-2048x1401.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /> Image Credit: freepik What You Should Know: – Healthcare organizations are facing an unprecedented cyber threat landscape, making the need to elevate cyber resilience to a strategic business priority more urgent than ever. – According to the “US Healthcare Cyber Resilience Survey” released by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) and KLAS Research, the risks posed by sophisticated cyber threats are directly compromising patient care, business operations, and financial stability. Widespread Impact and Financial Disruption The survey, which gathered insights from 100 healthcare executives, underscores the severe vulnerability across the sector. Widespread Disruption: Over 70% of health organizations reported experiencing significant financial, operational, or clinical disruptions due to cyber threats in the past year. These organizations reported an average of five different types of cyber threats impacting their systems. Shifting Perception: Leaders must fundamentally shift from viewing cybersecurity as merely a compliance or IT issue to recognizing it as a core enabler of patient safety and operational resilience. “Cybersecurity is more than a compliance checkbox – it drives safe care, patient trust, and long-term success. Treating cyber resilience as a strategic priority empowers healthcare systems to thrive amid rising threats,” said Nana Ahwoi, EY Americas Consumer and Health Cybersecurity Industry Leader. 6 Strategies for Accelerating Cyber Success The report outlines a clear mandate for health executives to integrate cyber strategies across their enterprise to ensure long-term success and value creation. Cyber as a Strategic Imperative: Align cybersecurity directly with overall strategic goals to reduce risk and improve outcomes. New Digital Identity Challenges: Implement a new playbook to address the rise of AI-driven threats and the complexity of managing nonhuman identities. Cyber as an Innovation Enabler: Use robust security to actively support the safe adoption of AI, automation, and remote care models. This allows healthcare systems to modernize confidently while preserving patient trust. Future Ready Talent: Tackle talent shortages by prioritizing the training and upskilling of personnel across the entire organization. Beyond the Cyber Compliance Checkbox: Shift focus from merely meeting regulatory requirements to adopting a comprehensive, strategic risk management approach. Disrupt Third-Party Risk: Strengthen vendor oversight and gain ecosystem-wide visibility to manage risk from complex partner networks. Prioritizing Investment in Identity and Workforce To adapt to the evolving sophistication of cybercrime, health organizations are focusing their resources on controls that protect data access and system integrity. Top Investment Priority: Sixty-eight percent of respondents indicated that identity & access management would be their top priority for increasing investments in the coming fiscal year. Workforce as a Defense: Just over half of respondents (52%) agreed that training and upskilling personnel is an effective tool to combat cyber challenges. Furthermore, 81% said prioritizing cybersecurity in business strategy is effective in overcoming challenges. “Healthcare leaders must prioritize workforce cyber training and readiness to unlock the full value of cybersecurity investments—ensuring safe patient care and strengthening system resilience,” concluded Ahwoi.
Ambience Healthcare Launches AI Conditions Advisor to Capture Full Patient Complexity
What You Should Know: – Ambience Healthcare, an AI platform for documentation, coding, and clinical workflow, announced a significant expansion of its Inpatient Care Setting offering with the introduction of an AI-powered Conditions Advisor. – The new capability is designed to help clinicians capture the full complexity of their patients’ conditions at the point of ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="900" height="450" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-2.png" alt="Ambience Healthcare Launches AI Conditions Advisor to Capture Full Patient Complexity" class="wp-image-92241" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-2.png 900w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-2-300x150.png 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-2-290x145.png 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-2-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> What You Should Know: – Ambience Healthcare, an AI platform for documentation, coding, and clinical workflow, announced a significant expansion of its Inpatient Care Setting offering with the introduction of an AI-powered Conditions Advisor. – The new capability is designed to help clinicians capture the full complexity of their patients’ conditions at the point of care, leading to better clinical decision-making and improved care coordination. Solving the Hidden Diagnosis Challenge Healthcare faces a “perfect storm” where patient complexity and the volume of clinical data are rising exponentially. The challenge for clinicians is that secondary diagnoses, which critically impact patient health, often remain hidden among vast amounts of chart data. Evidence-Based Clinical Intelligence in Workflow Built for seamless integration into inpatient workflows, the Conditions Advisor analyzes the complete patient record, including data available from outside hospital records. It surfaces clinical signals and evidence that support potentially missed diagnoses. For example, it might flag progressive weight loss in a cancer patient that could indicate cachexia. Key features ensuring clinical utility and compliance include: Longitudinal Data Synthesis: Analyzes the complete patient record to identify clinically significant patterns and surface linked evidence needed to render the best care. Workflow Integration: Supports clinicians before, during, or after visits, adapting to different practice patterns without detracting from clinical workflows. Clinician Autonomy: Keeps the clinician in the driver’s seat to manage, evaluate, assess, and treat secondary conditions, with full decision-making authority. Compliance-Focused Design: Seamlessly integrates into documentation workflows, aligned with AHIMA/ACDIS standards and national guidelines. “Today’s clinicians need to capture not just the principal diagnosis for admission, but all conditions impacting the health and well-being of the patient,” said Will Morris, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Ambience Healthcare. “Our goal is to help them deliver better care by bringing the most relevant clinical information to their attention.”
Henry Schein One and AWS Partner to Launch AI-Augmented Dental Practice Management System
What You Should Know: – Henry Schein One, a global leader in dental technology, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. – The collaboration will integrate AWS’s generative AI (GenAI) technologies across the Henry Schein One platform—including Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, and Dentally—to usher ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="600" height="300" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-1.png" alt="Henry Schein One and AWS Partner to Launch AI-Augmented Dental Practice Management System" class="wp-image-92233" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-1.png 600w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-1-300x150.png 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-1-290x145.png 290w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /> What You Should Know: – Henry Schein One, a global leader in dental technology, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. – The collaboration will integrate AWS’s generative AI (GenAI) technologies across the Henry Schein One platform—including Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, and Dentally—to usher in a new era of AI-powered dentistry. Reimagining Dental Workflows with AI Augmentation The centerpiece of this partnership is Henry Schein One’s ambitious global AI strategy: becoming the world’s first AI-augmented practice management system. The initiative aims to unify traditionally siloed tools and workflows by natively embedding intelligence across every step of the dental journey—from booking and imaging to payments and treatment presentation. “This collaboration represents a pivotal moment for dentistry,” said Ryan Hungate, Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer at Henry Schein One. “We’re not just improving workflows — we’re reimagining how dental care is delivered, documented, and optimized around the world.”. The goal is to create an AI-first ecosystem that integrates intelligence into the core of every experience, enabling dental professionals to focus on care rather than managing complexity. Integration Benefits The integration of AWS’s services, including Amazon Bedrock and Transcribe Medical, will deliver several tangible benefits to dental practices: Real-Time Documentation: A documentation assistant will use AI to capture and summarize patient interactions instantly. Voice-Activated Charting: Voice-activated perio charting will enable hands-free charting, significantly reducing administrative burden and improving accuracy. Predictive Intelligence: The partnership will introduce predictive business intelligence, automated claims validation, and dynamic pricing tools, enabling practices to optimize operations and revenue cycles. Enhanced Patient Engagement: AI-driven scheduling and communication tools will personalize the patient experience, helping reduce no-shows and improving engagement. Global Scalability and Future Vision With AWS’s cloud infrastructure supporting global scalability, Henry Schein One plans to expand its intelligent platform capabilities across the U.S., U.K., and E.U.. This global strategy helps ensure seamless interoperability and consistent standards of care worldwide.
VectorCare Launches SMART on FHIR App to Transform Patient Logistics and Discharge Coordination
What You Should Know: – VectorCare, a provider of modern patient logistics and care coordination technology, today announced the launch of its new SMART on FHIR app, now featured in the Epic App Market. – The app allows healthcare systems using major EHRs, including Epic, Cerner, and Allscripts, to embed VectorCare’s full patient logistics management ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="360" height="360" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/VectorCare.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92244" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/VectorCare.jpg 360w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/VectorCare-300x300.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/VectorCare-290x290.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/VectorCare-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px" /> VectorCare What You Should Know: – VectorCare, a provider of modern patient logistics and care coordination technology, today announced the launch of its new SMART on FHIR app, now featured in the Epic App Market. – The app allows healthcare systems using major EHRs, including Epic, Cerner, and Allscripts, to embed VectorCare’s full patient logistics management capabilities directly within their existing workflows. The goal is to transform how hospitals coordinate discharges and post-acute care at scale. Unmatched Efficiency: Logistics Management in Under One Minute The launch dramatically improves operational efficiency, building on VectorCare’s previous success in reducing patient transport scheduling time from 31 minutes (via phone or fax) to just three minutes. With the new SMART on FHIR app, that time is reduced further, allowing care teams to manage logistics in under one minute. Built on the SMART on FHIR interoperability standard, the app bridges the gap between clinical documentation and operational logistics. Case managers can now access the VectorCare Hub—a no-code workflow builder—directly inside the EHR to request, schedule, and monitor essential patient services without switching applications. Through the app, care teams can: Request and manage logistics in under one minute, including ambulance transport, home health services, DME, and rides via Uber or Lyft. View real-time updates, including estimated arrival times, live GPS tracking, and service status, right inside the patient’s EHR record. Communicate instantly with care teams through built-in messaging tools to reduce phone calls and prevent delays. Accelerating Discharge and Improving Outcomes This seamless integration allows hospitals to coordinate the entire continuum of care—scheduling the ride home, arranging oxygen delivery, and booking a home health visit—all from within Epic. Every event updates automatically, giving care teams real-time visibility into transport, equipment delivery, and visit status. This unified experience delivers critical operational benefits: Accelerates discharge and bed turnover. Reduces emergency department boarding times. Lowers readmission risk. Enhances patient satisfaction and operational efficiency. “By embedding VectorCare directly within Epic, Cerner, and Allscripts, we’re empowering care teams to coordinate rides, home health visits, and DME deliveries faster and more intelligently – without ever leaving their EHR,” said David Emanuel, CEO and Founder of VectorCare.
ŌURA and Cigna Healthcare Partner to Redefine Preventive Health and Chronic Disease Management
What You Should Know: – ŌURA and Cigna Healthcare have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at integrating continuous biometric insights with expertise in preventive care and chronic disease management. – The partnership builds upon ŌURA’s earlier work with Essence, a Medicare Advantage plan, demonstrating the wearable’s evolving role from a consumer device to a clinical-grade, ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="1433" height="788" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Cigna-Health-OURA.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92207" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Cigna-Health-OURA.jpg 1433w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Cigna-Health-OURA-300x165.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Cigna-Health-OURA-290x159.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Cigna-Health-OURA-768x422.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1433px) 100vw, 1433px" /> What You Should Know: – ŌURA and Cigna Healthcare have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at integrating continuous biometric insights with expertise in preventive care and chronic disease management. – The partnership builds upon ŌURA’s earlier work with Essence, a Medicare Advantage plan, demonstrating the wearable’s evolving role from a consumer device to a clinical-grade, payer-aligned prevention tool. Maximizing ROI Through High Utilization Historically, employees have used only 60% of the wellness stipends provided by their employers, leaving a substantial 40% of allocated wellness funds unused in 2024. ŌURA’s form factor addresses this core utilization challenge: High Compliance: The Oura Ring delivers high compliance with an average wear time of ~23.5 hours/day. Rapid Perceived Benefits: New users report rapid perceived benefits within 30 days, including improved overall health (90%), better sleep (88%), reduced stress (81%), and enhanced productivity (79%). This high engagement makes the Oura Ring a strong fit for benefit programs where utilization matters. Certain Cigna Healthcare clients are offering a complimentary Oura Ring 4 and a prepaid annual Oura Membership to eligible employees, making wellness and recovery a daily practice.
The ICHRA Revolution. How Flexible Infrastructure Unlocks Sustainable Growth
Kevin Deutsch, General Manager and SVP of Health Plan Solutions at Softheon
Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) are rapidly gaining traction as an alternative to traditional group plans. What began as a niche option for small employers is now reshaping the broader health insurance marketplace — and accelerating a fundamental shift toward Individual market enrollment. As adoption grows, so do the operational demands. ICHRA doesn’t fit ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Deutsch-headshot-2025.jpg" alt="The ICHRA Revolution. How Flexible Infrastructure Unlocks Sustainable Growth" class="wp-image-92204" width="625" height="535" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Deutsch-headshot-2025.jpg 1000w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Deutsch-headshot-2025-300x257.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Deutsch-headshot-2025-290x248.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Deutsch-headshot-2025-768x657.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /> Kevin Deutsch, General Manager and SVP of Health Plan Solutions at Softheon Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) are rapidly gaining traction as an alternative to traditional group plans. What began as a niche option for small employers is now reshaping the broader health insurance marketplace — and accelerating a fundamental shift toward Individual market enrollment. As adoption grows, so do the operational demands. ICHRA doesn’t fit neatly into legacy group-based systems. It requires a decentralized, multi-stakeholder infrastructure: benefit technology vendors (BenTechs), third-party administrators (TPAs), carriers, and marketplaces, all working together to support employers and employees in real time. To keep pace, health plans need flexible Off-Exchange infrastructure that can support nonstandard data, high-volume enrollment and partner integrations — without creating new administrative burdens or requiring full system overhauls. Why Employers Are Turning to ICHRA Employer frustration with traditional group coverage is driving change. Rising healthcare costs, unpredictable renewal rates and limited benefit personalization have pushed many employers to seek alternatives. With ICHRA, businesses give their employees a stipend to spend on a health insurance plan of their choice. Originally seen as a niche solution for small employers, ICHRA’s popularity has exceeded expectations. According to the HRA Council, adoption increased 52% among small employers and 34% among applicable large employers in 2025. Another report found that almost half of large employers are considering the switch. ICHRA addresses many limitations of traditional group plans by supporting: Better cost management for employers Healthcare costs and claim volumes are driving up group insurance premiums, and unexpected high-cost medical events make it nearly impossible for employers to anticipate future insurance rates. ICHRA enables businesses to set predictable, fixed contributions per employee, avoiding cost increases tied to plan usage or healthcare prices. Additionally, ICHRA shifts the responsibility of plan selection to employees, and employers can rely on ICHRA administrators to handle setup, compliance, reimbursement and ongoing operations. This workflow makes health insurance benefits significantly more manageable for businesses of all sizes. Reduced administrative burden for health plans ICHRA doesn’t just ease administrative pressure on employers — it also creates new operational advantages for health plans. Group coverage often requires custom plan design, employer-specific servicing, and intensive reporting structures. In contrast, ICHRA directs enrollees to Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) already offered on the Individual market. That means less customization, fewer exceptions and a more streamlined approach to enrollment and billing. Instead of managing a patchwork of small group accounts, health plans can focus on optimizing their individual product portfolio and scaling enrollment. Expanded coverage choice for employees Traditional group plan offerings may not align with every employee’s healthcare needs and preferences. ICHRA gives people greater control over their benefits, allowing them to choose their ideal coverage. Beyond offering more choices, ICHRA also makes benefits available to more people. Employers can cover employees previously ineligible for insurance, such as contractors or part-timers. It’s also bringing new businesses into the market. The HRA Council found that 83% of employers with an HRA did not previously offer coverage. The increased adoption is driving new players into the market. Venture capital has invested $700 million in ICHRA startups. New vendors are launching weekly, each with its own enrollment flows, payment processes and integration formats. This growth brings fragmentation. Retrofitted systems and one-off integrations can’t handle the processes. Supporting ICHRA at scale requires flexible infrastructure capable of connecting disparate data sources, normalizing inputs and enabling real-time coordination between health plans, administrators and enrollment platforms. Dated Infrastructure Isn’t Built for ICHRA ICHRA operates within a decentralized, multi-stakeholder ecosystem. Each employer uses a different third-party administrator (TPA). Each employee may enroll through a separate platform, exchange or marketplace. Each vendor has its own file format, enrollment process and payment cadence. Multiply this by hundreds of employers and thousands of members, and you get a tangled web of nonstandard data, asynchronous reporting and manual intervention. But employees and employers don’t care about the complexity; they expect their coverage to function like the group plans they’re used to. Let’s examine the real-world implications of this fragmented system for a small company. Each person might select a different plan through a different enrollment platform. One uses a private marketplace. Another signs up via a captive agent. File formats vary. Submission timelines don’t align. Some records arrive incomplete or late — or not at all. The Case for Flexible Off-Exchange Infrastructure Supporting ICHRA at scale doesn’t mean building a new system from scratch. It means investing in infrastructure that can flex — across marketplaces, plan types, data formats and operational models. What does that look like? Real-time integrations across TPAs, BenTechs, enrollment platforms and health plans. Standardize data inputs to align with emerging CMS interoperability requirements. Adaptable enrollment logic that works across diverse platforms and user journeys. Dashboards and reporting that give health plans and their brokers visibility into enrollment status, contributions, and compliance. Member-facing tools that simplify plan selection and reduce drop-off during onboarding. According to the HRA Council, the majority of Marketplace enrollees accessing coverage via ICHRA or QSEHRA are between ages 18–44. This younger population brings lower risk and more predictable costs, helping stabilize the broader Marketplace risk pool and support more consistent premium trends. This vision aligns with CMS’s broader push to modernize ACA markets through interoperability and standardized data exchange. The goal: improve transparency for consumers while reducing administrative friction for plans. Addressing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse One additional challenge is clear: fraud, waste, and abuse remain significant issues in ACA markets. In some states, 20–45% of ACA enrollees file no claims in a year. Investigations point to practices such as brokers inflating incomes to qualify individuals for $0-premium plans, or fraudulent enrollments designed to capture subsidies and commissions. ICHRA could compound these issues if guardrails and data transparency aren’t prioritized. As employer-funded dollars flow into the individual market, the industry will need systems that can verify eligibility, reconcile payments, and detect anomalies in real time. As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has emphasized, existing ACA infrastructure can be leveraged to support Off-exchange ICHRA markets while maintaining transparency and safeguarding enrollees. Questions also remain around flexibility in plan design, supplemental benefits, and consumer protections. ICHRA Isn’t Replacing Group Coverage — It’s Expanding What’s Possible ICHRA isn’t replacing group coverage — it’s expanding what’s possible. It opens the door to new employer segments, new member populations and new partnerships. But without flexible Off-Exchange infrastructure, that opportunity is harder to realize. The goal for health plans is to build one system that can flex across group, Individual and ICHRA-funded populations. One that helps carriers meet market demand without increasing complexity or cost. Because when enrollment strategies evolve, infrastructure should support them, not slow them down. The employers are here. The enrollees are coming. The question is whether the infrastructure is ready. About Kevin Deutsch Kevin Deutsch is the General Manager and Senior Vice President of Health Plan Solutions at Softheon, a leading cloud-based shopping, eligibility, enrollment, billing, and member management solution for health plans, brokers and government agencies. Kevin aids health plans across the country in their mission to expand and retain coverage by providing a streamlined and efficient shopping, enrollment and billing experience.
Is Professor AI The Next to Lead The Nursing Classroom?
Kelly J. Dries, PhD, RN, Director of Nursing Program Success at Wolters Kluwer Health
For decades, educators have sought better ways to prepare students for a rapidly evolving clinical environment. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as an important part of the roadmap. AI is playing into adaptive learning systems, virtual simulations and predictive analytics to personalize education in ways previously unimaginable. However, this transformation won’t happen in isolation. ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="222" height="222" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Is-Professor-AI-The-Next-to-Lead-The-Nursing-Classroom.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-92201" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Is-Professor-AI-The-Next-to-Lead-The-Nursing-Classroom.jpeg 222w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Is-Professor-AI-The-Next-to-Lead-The-Nursing-Classroom-100x100.jpeg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px" /> Kelly J. Dries, PhD, RN, Director of Nursing Program Success at Wolters Kluwer Health For decades, educators have sought better ways to prepare students for a rapidly evolving clinical environment. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as an important part of the roadmap. AI is playing into adaptive learning systems, virtual simulations and predictive analytics to personalize education in ways previously unimaginable. However, this transformation won’t happen in isolation. Of course, AI presents exciting opportunities to evolve the education landscape, but it also presents equally weighted risks and challenges. In many ways, the success of AI in education depends less on whether the technology exists and more on how it is deployed. With strategic leadership and thoughtful integration, AI has the potential to transform nursing education for the better. It’s Here: AI Use in Nursing Education Nursing programs have been facing mounting pressure for years: faculty shortages, rising enrollment demands and the need to train graduates who can handle increasingly complex patient scenarios. Traditional models centered on lectures, flash cards and static resources are struggling to keep up. As a result, students and faculty alike are turning to AI to amp up their curricula. As reported in the Digital Education Council Global AI Faculty Survey 2025, the majority (61%) of teaching faculty are already involving AI in their curriculum, and even more (86%) expect to use AI in the future. It is clear that AI is charging ahead in education, with or without leadership buy-in. In nursing education specifically, AI can offer a revitalized path forward when leveraged by faculty to augment their clinical training. By harnessing machine learning and natural language processing, AI can streamline workflows, personalize instruction, and provide richer clinical training experiences. Integrating AI in education and training for nurses presents a unique opportunity to boost workforce readiness and patient safety. But as we implement new technologies and tools into our studies and training, we must take a thoughtful, pragmatic approach. Key Opportunities for AI Application in Nursing Education Adaptive Learning for Smarter Education AI-driven platforms can track how students interact with course content and tailor recommendations to their unique needs. For example, a pharmacology module might not just display a grade but identify specific pharmacological categories where a student demonstrates gaps — and then generate targeted practice questions on demand. In recent years, studies have correlated adaptive learning with reduced remediation rates and improved NCLEX outcomes, indicating that technology-supported approaches can have meaningful impact on student success. Immersive Clinical Simulations Simulation technology has been shown to be a successful companion technology to the clinical rotations nursing students traditionally receive. With conversational AI and augmented reality, students can engage in realistic, dynamic scenarios where virtual patients respond to assessment questions, exhibit complex, changing symptoms and react to care decisions. These simulations allow students to practice critical thinking in high-stakes scenarios, while caring for multiple “patients” without any risk to real people. AI can even adapt the case based on student actions, offering infinite variations on the same clinical theme or offering uniquely diverse cases that a student may otherwise not experience in clinical rotations. Additionally, for educators and administrators, these tools are built to adhere to competency-based educational models, ensuring curriculum alignment. Continuous Student Support AI is also changing how students receive support. AI-powered smart assistants can provide 24/7 answers to course-related questions or remind students of deadlines. This proactive approach can make the difference between retention and dropout, especially in high-stress accelerated nursing programs. By automating routine inquiries and offering scalable support, AI can also alleviate faculty workload, allowing educators to focus on higher-impact teaching and mentorship. The Realities We Can’t Ignore While the upside of AI in nursing education is compelling, its adoption introduces new risks and complexities. Ignoring them could undermine trust, equity and even compliance. Academic Integrity in the Age of Generative AI The reality is, even if your program isn’t an early adopter of AI, your students likely are. Generative AI tools make it easy for students to create essays, care plans and discussion posts with minimal effort. Without clear guidelines, the line between assistance and academic dishonesty can blur. Faculty must collaborate to define ethical AI use in academic work and provide educational resources that teach students how to engage responsibly with these tools. Know Where Your Data is Coming From When it comes to some of the most common complaints around AI, hallucinations and misinformation are some things that cannot be ignored. Because of that, leveraging AI systems that are based on trusted, evidence-based healthcare data that nurses need to be trained on is key. Leveraging publicly available AI bots may be helpful for guidelines, but proceed cautiously as that information is coming from anywhere on the internet. The Equity Imperative AI-enhanced education risks widening the gap between students who have access to robust technology and those who don’t. High-speed internet, mobile and modern devices aren’t guaranteed for every learner. When applied thoughtfully, AI should narrow, not widen, the opportunity gap. As we implement AI, we still need to provide careful consideration to students who may be working with fewer resources and look to bridge the gap with solutions or support wherever possible. Building a Roadmap for Responsible Innovation AI in nursing education is a major inflection point. The institutions that succeed through the advent of AI will be those that combine visionary technology adoption with disciplined execution and ethical foresight. As leaders in nursing education, we have a pivotal role to play. Here are several principles to guide the journey: Start with outcomes, not tools. Vet and select solutions that directly align with educational goals, from clinical judgment development to NCLEX performance. Launch AI initiatives in controlled environments before scaling and use measurable outcomes to justify broader investment. Proactively consider, develop and communicate acceptable use policies. 57% of universities now consider AI a strategic priority but in direct contrast, less than 40% have a formal acceptable-use policy. Keep humanity at the center. AI should support cultivating critical human skills that we will always need in nursing: empathy, critical thinking, and judgment. Technology Doesn’t Guarantee Transformation – We Do AI gives us the ability to create learning environments that are more responsive, personalized, and effective than ever before. But technology alone can’t guarantee transformation. True, successful change requires strategic leadership with a focus on ethics, equity, and collaboration to ensure AI strengthens nursing education and benefits our patients. About Kelly J. Dries, PhD, RN Kelly J. Dries, PhD, RN, is a transformational nurse educator and leader with over 29 years of experience. A former floor nurse, nursing faculty, and Dean of Nursing, she now serves as Director of Nursing Program Success at Wolters Kluwer, where she brings strategic vision and innovation to academic program development. Dr. Dries has a proven track record of leading diverse nursing programs, optimizing operations, and fostering inclusive, high-impact learning environments.
Vivian Health and Hallmark Partner to Integrate AI Hiring Tech for Healthcare Staffing
What You Should Know: – Vivian Health, the largest online marketplace for healthcare talent, and Hallmark Health Care Solutions, Inc., a leader in workforce intelligence and enablement, today announced a strategic partnership designed to transform how agencies and healthcare facilities connect with top-tier clinicians. – The collaboration embeds Vivian’s AI-enabled hiring technology directly into Hallmark’s ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="627" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-85.png" alt="" class="wp-image-92192" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-85.png 1200w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-85-300x157.png 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-85-290x152.png 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-85-768x401.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> What You Should Know: – Vivian Health, the largest online marketplace for healthcare talent, and Hallmark Health Care Solutions, Inc., a leader in workforce intelligence and enablement, today announced a strategic partnership designed to transform how agencies and healthcare facilities connect with top-tier clinicians. – The collaboration embeds Vivian’s AI-enabled hiring technology directly into Hallmark’s workforce solutions, simplifying and accelerating the clinician placement process. Integrating AI for Seamless Clinician Placement This partnership focuses on bringing automation and intelligence to workflows that have traditionally been manual and time-consuming in healthcare staffing. Technology Integration: Vivian’s AI-enabled hiring technology is integrated into Hallmark’s Flexible Workforce and Total Vendor Management solutions. Workflow Automation: The integration facilitates the seamless submission of travel, per diem, and local clinician candidates, including nurses and allied health professionals. Vivian Health’s proprietary AI Assistant is powered by over one million job searches and 2.7 million applications annually. It uses healthcare-specific data, such as licenses and certifications, to match candidates with the right fit across more than 250,000 job opportunities. “We’re thrilled to extend the power of Vivian’s AI-driven hiring tools into Hallmark’s ecosystem, bringing automation and intelligence to critical workflows that have traditionally been manual and time-consuming,” said Parth Bhakta, CEO of Vivian Health. Boosting Efficiency and Controlling Costs The streamlined hiring process is expected to deliver measurable benefits for both agencies and health systems: Recruiter Efficiency: The integration results in intelligent screening, automated profile and packet generation, and one-click submissions, which boosts recruiter efficiency and frees up time for relationship building with clinicians. Faster Placement: By simplifying the journey from initial interest to final placement, the system operates more efficiently and offers clinicians a faster experience.
Why Value-Based Care Fails to Reward LTPAC Providers Today
Eugene Gonsiorek, PhD, VP of Clinical Regulatory Standards at PointClickCare
The chorus of voices singing the praises of value-based care is growing ever louder. But in LTPAC, it still feels like the system’s asking providers to do more—with less—and faster than ever. For the past 25 years, financial strategy in long-term and post-acute care has been tied to two things: occupancy and payer mix. Around ... Read More
<img loading="lazy" width="800" height="800" src="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Eugene-Gonsiorek.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-92186" srcset="https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Eugene-Gonsiorek.jpg 800w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Eugene-Gonsiorek-300x300.jpg 300w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Eugene-Gonsiorek-290x290.jpg 290w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Eugene-Gonsiorek-768x768.jpg 768w, https://hitconsultant.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Eugene-Gonsiorek-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Eugene Gonsiorek, PhD, VP of Clinical Regulatory Standards at PointClickCare The chorus of voices singing the praises of value-based care is growing ever louder. But in LTPAC, it still feels like the system’s asking providers to do more—with less—and faster than ever. For the past 25 years, financial strategy in long-term and post-acute care has been tied to two things: occupancy and payer mix. Around 70% of residents are covered by Medicaid. The rest—split between Medicare fee-for-service, Medicare Advantage, and private pay—bring in higher rates, especially Medicare. While fee-for-service might reimburse $650 to $700 per day, Medicaid pays closer to $250—often less than the cost to provide care. For years, higher Medicare rates have helped cover that gap. That margin is shrinking fast. More than half of Medicare beneficiaries now enroll in Medicare Advantage. These plans generally pay less, require more prior authorizations, and add layers of oversight that take time and control away from care teams. That’s real financial pressure. But it’s also a shift in control. Providers are caring for higher-acuity patients under tighter terms, and many feel expectations keep rising while support does not. The incentives don’t line up—yet. Navigating the Shift in Expectations Everyone agrees on the goal: Better outcomes, fewer hospitalizations. But when providers put money and time into hiring staff, adding tools, or changing how they work, they don’t always see those efforts rewarded. Referrals don’t go up. Rates don’t improve. And there’s no guarantee that taking on more responsibility leads to better results for the organization. Layer on the complexity of managed care, and LTPAC teams are carrying more administrative weight while losing flexibility in clinical decision-making. They’re being asked to perform under conditions that weren’t built with their reality in mind. It’s become clear that speed to adoption isn’t the solution. The message to “get on board” with value-based care isn’t wrong—but it doesn’t address critical considerations. Many providers want to move forward. They just need a path that accounts for their starting point. Most of the conversations happen at the top—with large, multi-facility operators who already have teams and tools in place. But smaller, independent providers aren’t in the same position. That’s where leadership matters most. What’s important is support that lines up with their reality. That starts with actionable data. Not dashboards or reports, but real information that helps people make decisions in the moment. It also means tools that take pressure off the frontline—not add more. And maybe most of all, it means recognizing the effort providers are already putting in. The 2030 Goal and What It Means for Providers The 2030 goal is clear, but the path forward isn’t well defined. CMS wants all Medicare and Medicaid fee-for-service payments linked to value-based care by 2030. But when incentives and systems don’t align, it feels like pressure—not progress. In LTPAC, where staffing is stretched and care is complex, providers struggle to focus on long-term change amid daily demands. What LTPAC providers really need is the time and flexibility to build these models in ways that actually fit. If the shift comes too fast—or without the right backing—it puts everything at risk. Staff burnout goes up. Resources get stretched too thin. And short-term fixes take the place of long-term strategy. Real change isn’t about moving fast. It’s about building something that can last. Finding the Right Pace for Change When your goals and your tools don’t match up, even the best-intentioned model will fall apart. Providers aren’t saying no to value-based care—they’re saying the conditions must make sense to realize success. Providers aren’t pushing back on the concept of value-based care. They’re responding to real-world conditions that don’t match what the model assumes. The solution isn’t more urgency. It’s smarter alignment. That starts with listening—really listening—to what providers are facing and building around that. Simplify where you can. Support where it’s needed. And avoid adding layers that slow things down. The potential is immense. But the rollout must shift. Value-based care, at its core, is the right direction. But we need financial models, workflows, and policy expectations to align with how care actually works or risk a continued lag in adoption. The key is to remember that implementing value-based care isn’t just a policy goal; it’s about finding a sustainable path that better supports patients and providers. The cadence to reach that end should be a steady one.